Car-coupling



3 Shets-Sheet 1. R. J. EDWARDS.

GAR GOUPLING.

Patented'Apr. 2, 1895.

(No Model.)

The nofws venas co. Hora-urna, wAsHmm N, ,c

` (N0 ModeL) 3 Smets-sheet 2.

R. J. EDWARDS.

GAR COU-BLING. No, 536,860. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

l 53m/vanto@ elttozmg (No Model.) s sheets-sheet 3.

R. J. EDW'MDS.-

GAR GOUPLING.

No. 536,860. Patented Apr. 2, 1895.

RICHARD J. EDWARDS,

PATENT Ottica.

OF GALENA, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 536,860, dated April 2, 1895.

Y Application tiled December l5, 1894. Serial No. 531,934. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be itknown that I, RICHARD J. EDWARDS, a resident of Galena, in the county of Jo Daviess and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coupling Devices for Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in coupling devices for railroad cars-one object of the invention being to so construct the devices that the cars can be readily coupled or uncoupled automatically either when standing still or while in motion and regardless of the position of one car relatively to the other, whether on a straight track or a curve.

A further object is to so construct a coupling of the master car builders type that the pin which connects the movable jaw to the draw head will be relieved of strain.

A further object is to provide means whereby to cushion the movable jaw and prevent the breaking of the same when subjected lto concussion produced by the meeting or coming together of two couplings.

A further object is to provide vmeans whereby to permit the yielding movement both forwardly and rearwardly of the movable or pivoted jaw of the coupling.

A further object is to so construct a car coupling of the type above mentioned, that the locking device will not be made to re- ,ceive the pressure of the movable or pivoted jaw againstit.

A further object is to construct the movable jaw and connect it with the draw head in such manner that the pulling strain brought to bear 'against it will be directlyin line with its length and not laterally against the locking device.

A further object is to so construct the coupling that theflocking device will always be capable of free movement to permit the uncoupling of the cars, whether the cars be standing still, or in motion and' whether or not a pulling strain is being exerted on the couplings of the respective cars.

A further object is to so construct a couperating device.

A further object is to produce means whereby a car coupling, the couplings of the air brake pipes and the cocks or valves in said pipes, can be operated to uncouple cars by a single movement of the crank shaft or operating device in one direction.

` A further object is to generally improve coupling devices of the character above referred to and to so construct them that they shall be simple/and effectual, in all respects, in the performance of their functions.

A further object is'to so contruct a car coupling that danger of uncoupling when the cars are running on a curved track will be obviated;

'With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts,las hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a bottom plan view illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an end view. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail sectional views illustrating parts of the coupling. Fig. 6 is a view illustrating the positions of the parts when the coupling is open.

A, A, represent the draft timbers of a car and B the draw-bar of a coupling, disposed between said timbers so as to be capable of longitudinal movement and prevented from displacement by means of straps a. At the forward end of the draw-bar, the draw-head C,em`bodying 'my improvements of the same, is located. The draw bar is madeat the rear end with a socket a', into which a rod b is inserted, said rod being also made to enter a socket or perforation b in a block b2 secured IOO to the framework of the car. On this rod, between the draw bar and block b2, a buffing spring b3 is located.

The draw head is made with the usual rigid 5 jaw c and with a movable or pivoted jaw, which latter comprises a knuckle D adapted to engage the corresponding part of another coupling, and a movable block D having a shoulder (Z to be engaged by a shoulder CZ on ro the shank Z2 of the knuckle, and the shoulder (Z is preferably somewhat rounded so as to insure its engagement and interlocking with the shoulder d.. The shank of the knuckleis disposed within the draw head and provided I5 with an elongated slot e, through which a pin e passes, said pin also passing through the top and bottom walls of the draw head and serving to connect the knuckle thereto so as to permit it to have a slight movement longizo tudinally of the coupling, as more fully explained farther on in this description. The block D' of the movable jaw is provided with a stem f which projects into a socket or hous ing f made parallel with the longitudinal z5 axis of the draw bar. Within the housing or socketf an enlargement is made so as to produce two shoulders f2,f3. A spring g encircles the stem f and bears at its respective ends against the shoulder-f2 and block D of 3o the movablejaw. Anotherspringg encircles the stemf and bears at its respective ends against the shoulder]c3 and a nut g2 at the free end of the stem, said springs and the stem being projected by being inclosed within said housing or socket.

Alocking block Zt is located within the back of the drawhead and disposed parallel with the rearwardly extending portion of the movable jaw, the function of said block being to 4o retain the movable jaw in a locked position when the coupling is in use. A shank or rod t' is screwed into the locking block Zz and eX- tends rearwardly into a socket in the draw bar and at its rear end is provided with a hollow block i. In advance of the block i', a washer i encircles the rod and hasabearing against a suitable shoulder 3 within said socket. Be' tween this washer and the locking block 7L, a spring 4 is located on the rod t' to maintain 5o said locking block normally in its locked position relatively to the movable jaw.

One end of an armj is provided with a T- head j and passed through the hollow block z" and then turned so as to cause said T-head to enterarecessjgin the block i. The armjprojects thronghan elongated slot j in the draw bar and is adapted to slide in said slot, being guidedinits movements by pinsj4 projecting therefrom and moving alongside the draw bar.

6o The arm 7' is provided at its free end with a loop for the attachment thereto of a cord or chain, as more fully explained hereinafter.

By the construction and arrangement of parts above described I attain multifold advantages andimprovements over couplings as heretofore constructed so far as I ain aware.

By connecting the knuckle to the draw head so as to permit a movement thereof independently of the draw head, both in a direction parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe same and a pivotal movement, I am enabled to swing the knuckle around sufficiently far to permit the ready coupling of cars on a curved track and render the operation of coupling cars sure, automatic and effectual,-but it is desirable to prevent the knuckle being swung around too far, or so as to move the rearwardly projection thereof too far to be properly operated by another coupling during thc operation of coupling, and for this reason I pivotally connect one end of a plate 7c to the rearwardly projecting portion of the knuckle, the other end of said plate being made with an elongated slot 7c', for the reception of a pin 7a2 projecting from the inner wall of the draw head. While this plate will permit the proper extent of pivotal and longitudinal movement of the knuckle it will serve to limitthe movements of said knuckle for the purpose above mentioned. By the provision of the spring g the knuckle will be permitted to have a yielding forward movement, while the Spring g will allow the knuckle to yield rearwardly. By thus making the knuckle yielding it is not liable to be broken bythe jerking of the cars as would be apt to occur. The spring g will permit the knuckle to yield when two couplings come together and thus liability of breaking the knuckle from concussion will be avoided. It is evident that thelnlfferspring in rear of the draw bar will co-operatc with the spring, g, g to insure the proper yielding or cushioning action of the parts of the coupling.

By making the movable jaw in two parts (via, the knuckle D and block D with its stem) and causing said parts to interlock in a plane parallel with and to one side of the plane of the locking block 7i, the draft will bein line with the axis ofl the interlocking parts of the jaw and a portion of the strain will fall upon the shoulder f3 through the intervention of the cushioning spring g. The locking block will not therefore, loe subjected to pressure of the shank of the knuckle against it and said locking block Will be permitted to have a free, uninterrupted movement when operated to permitthe uncouplingoftwo cars. It will be seen therefore, that the cars can be uncoupled while the cars are in motion, no matter what amount of strain pressure there may be on the knuckle. This feature renders the coupler very valuable for use in car yards where the cars are shifted and-whenit is desired to make what is known as flying' switches. It is often necessary in uncoupling cars provided with couplings as heretofore constructed, to back the engine to relieve the binding action of the parts of the couplings before they can be operated. This is entirely obviated by my improved arrangement above set forth.

Mounted under the car is a crank shaft E having two crank arms Z, Z, the arm Z being preferably about one-fourth the length of the ICO IIO

crank arm Z-, and at the ends of said crank shaft handles or arms Z2 are located so that the shaft can be operated from either side of the car. To the crank arm Z, one end of a wire rope or chain 1 is connected, said rope or chain, after passing over a pulley m secured to the block b2, being extended forwardly and secured tothe arm 7' of the locking block h. The pipe 3 of the air brake apparatus, is suitably located under the car and provided at its end with a flexible hose 4, at the free end of which, a pipe coupling 5 is located for connecting the air brake devices of one car with those of another. To the coupling 5, a plate 6 is secured and made with an arm orlever7 to the free end of which a rope or chain S is secured. The rope or chain 8 extends rear wardly from'its connection with the arm or lever on the pipe coupling and after passing over pulleys 9, 10, is extended forwardly and connected with the short crank arm of the crank shaft. A valve 1l is located in the air pipe 3 preferably near the connection of the hose therewithand from the stem of this valve an arm or lever 12 projects. To the free end of said arm or lever one end 0f a rope or chain 13 is connected, said rope or chain extending rearwardly from its connection with said arm or lever and, after passing over pulleys 14, 15, is again extended forwardly and connected to the short arm'of the crank shaft. The rope o r chain 13is made in two parts and aspring 16 is interposed between the parts for a purpose which will presently be made apparent.

From this construction and arrangement of parts it will be seen that when the crank shaft is turned forwardly the valve in the air pipe will first be closed. By the continued movement of the crank shaft (permitted by the spring section 16 in the rope or chain 13) the pipe coupling will be operated to disengage the parts thereof and the locking block h in the car coupling will be withdrawn to release the knuckle D and uncouple the cars. Thus it will be'seen that the cars will be uncoupled, the pipe connections between the ca-rs will be severed and the valve in the air pipe will be closed, by a single forward movement of the shaft.

The arms or handles Z2 are made with perforations Z4 for the reception of hooks Z5 connected to the car, whereby to retain the parts in such position that the couplingf-of the cars cannot be effected, as desired.

When the devices are applied to passenger cars it is desirable that meansv be provided whereby to operate them from the platform of the car. I therefore attach a chain or rope 17 to the long arm of the crank shaft and pass the same through perforations 18, 18, in the platform. To said chain or rope a loop 2O may be connected whereby to operate it, and the parts 'may be held in an inoperative position by means of a hook 2l connected to the platform of the car and adapted to enter one of the links of the chain 17.

My improvements are very simple in construction and effectual, in all respects, in the performance of their functions. v

Slight changes might be made in the details of construction of my invention without departingjfrom the spirit thereof or limiting its scope and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details ot' construction herein set forth, but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head, of a pivoted knuckle connected thereto, means for limiting the movements of said knuckle, means for cushioning the move'- ments of the knuckle in both directions and a locking ldevice for said knuckle, substantially as set forth.

2. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head, of a movable jaw connected thereto in such manner as to be capable of alongitudinal and a pivotal movement, and means for limiting thepivotal movement of thejaw, consisting of a plate pivoted at one end to the jaw and provided at its other end with an elongated slot and a pin projecting from the draw head through said elongated slot, substantially as set forth.

3. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head, of a movable jaw comprising a pivoted and longitudinally movable knuckle having a shoulder a plate pivotally connected to the knuckle and to the drawhead and a longitudinally movable block having a shoul der to be engaged by the shoulder on the knuckle, substantially as set forth.

et. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head, of a knuckle having an elongated slot, a pin passing through said slot and the draw head, a shoulder on said knuckle and a movable block having a shoulder to be engaged by the shoulder on the knuckle, means yieldingly connecting said movable block with the draw head and a plate pivotally connected to the knuckle and draw-head, substantially as set forth.

5. In a car coupling, the combination with a, draw head, of a knuckle having a pivotal and a longitudinally movable connection therewith, a shoulder on said knuckle, a longitudinally A:movable block having a shoulder to be 'engaged by the shoulder on the knuckle, a rod extending from said block, shoulders on the draw head, a spring on said rod bearing at its respective ends against one of said shoulders and said block, and a spring on the rod bearingatone end against the other shoulder and a nut on the end of said rod to receive the other end of said last-mentioned spring, substantially as set forth.

6. In` a car coupling, the combination with a draw head and bar having a socket or housing therein, of a movable knuckle connected to the draw head, a movable block adapted to .be engaged by said knuckle, a rod extending from said block and inclosed by said housing, shoulders in the housing, a nut on IIO the end of the rod,'and springs disposed between said shoulders and the nut and block respectively, substantially as set forth.

7. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head and bar, of a pivoted knuckle having a shank, of a movable locking block adapted to lie parallel with said shank, a rod connected with said locking block, a block at the rear end of said rod, an arm connected with said last-mentioned block, a washer in the draw bar and a spring between said washer and the locking block, substantially as set forth.

S. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw head and bar, of a movable knuckle connected thereto and having a shank, a locking block in the draw head adapted to lie parallel with said shank, a rod connected to said locking block, a hollow block at tbe other end of said rod having'a recess therein, an arm having an enlargement at one end to enter said recess, said arm being adapted to project through aslot in the draw bar, and means connected with said arm for operating the locking block, substantially as set forth.

Q. The combination with a car coupling` having a movable jaw and a locking device for said jaw, an air brake pipe having a valve therein, and a pipe coupling connected with said pipe, of a crank shaft, and connections between said crank shaft and the locking device of the coupling, the valve in the air pipe and the pipe coupling, said connections being so constructed and arranged that a single movement forwardly of the crank shaft will act to close the valve in the air pipe, sever the pipe coupling and then operate the locking device of the car coupling to release the movable jaw, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a car coupling having a locking device, an air pipe having a valve, and a iiexible pipe having a pipe coupling, of a crank shaft, and devices connecting the crank shaft with the locking device of the coupling, the valve in the air pipe and the pipe coupling, said devices being so constructed and arranged that upon a movement in one direction of the crank shaft, the said valve, the pipe coupling and the locking device will be successively operated, substantially as set forth.

ll. The combination with a car coupling having a locking device, an air pipe having a valve and a exible pipe having a pipe coupscacco ling, of an arm on the stem of the valve, an arm or lever projecting from the pipe coupling, an arm connected with the locking device of the car coupling, a crank shaft, a connection between the crank shaft and the arm of the locking device, a connection between said crank shaft and the arm or lever on the pipe coupling, and a connection between the crank shaft and the arm of said valve stem, said last-mentioned connectionhavinga yielding section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. The combination with a car coupling having a locking device, an air pipe having a valve and a flexible pipe having a pipe coupling, of a crank shaft, means for locking said shaft, and connections between said shaft and the locking device, valve and pipe coupling, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with a car coupling.

having a locking device, an air pipe havinga valve and a iiexible pipe having a pipe coupling, of a crank shaft, connections between said crank shaft and locking device, valve and pipe coupling, so constructed and arranged that upon movement of the crank shaft in one direction said locking device, valve and pipe coupling will be operated, and a hook connected to the car and adapted to engage an arm projecting from said crank shaft, whereby to retain the parts in an inoperative position, substantially as set forth.

le. The combination with a car coupling, an air pipe having a valve therein and a pipe coupling, of a crank shaft, connections between said crank shaft and the coupling, valve and pipe coupling for operating said devices, and means for operating the crank shaft, substantially as set forth.

I5. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw-head, and a knuckle pivotally connected thereto, and capable of sliding therein, of a plate having an elongated slot at one end and a pin passing through this slot for connecting the plate loosely to a part of the coupling, said plate pivotally connected at its other end to the knuckle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD J. EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

PAUL Kunz, J. J JONES.

IOO 

